the afterlife

These bodies we have are not meant to last forever. Death will come to each of us. Yet, death is the great unknown. We would all like to know what happens on the “other side.” In this series we will take an in-depth look at what the Bible has to say about the afterlife. It has much to tell us. Indeed, we will discover that death is not the end of our existence, rather it leads us to an eternal destination, heaven or hell.

LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY

The thought of eternity is hard for us to comprehend. Yet eternity is something we are all facing. Indeed, it is the personal future for each and every one of us. Therefore, it is crucial that we understand how to live in light of it. In this book, we will examine how to conduct our lives with eternity in mind. How do we live a life pleasing to God with eternity in our future?

However, before we examine this topic, it is important to understand what the Bible has to say about death, dying and the afterlife. If God created a perfect world, then why do people die? Is there life after death? Is heaven a reality? If so, then how do we get there? Are there answers to these questions? Where do we find them? There are indeed answers to these and other ultimate questions about death, dying and what lies beyond the grave. They are found in only one place, the Bible! Once we answer these preliminary questions from Scripture, then we will look at how we should live in the light of eternity.

For example, how do we live a life that honors God in preparation for eternity? How do we prepare for our own death? Should Christians be afraid of dying? How do we react to the death of a loved one who is a believer? How do we react to the death of a loved one who may not be a believer? Should believers be buried or cremated upon death? This book will answer these and other questions about how to live in the light of eternity.

WHAT HAPPENS ONE SECOND AFTER WE DIE?

In the first volume of our series we considered what the Bible had to say about living in the light of eternity. We began by covering the subjects of death, dying, and the afterlife. We found that death is not the end. Indeed, it leads to an ultimate destination. For believers, it is in the presence of the Lord but for unbelievers it consists of eternal separation from Him. Understanding these biblical truths will help us live our lives in the light of the eternity which awaits us. In this book, we will look at what the Bible has to say about the state of those who have died. What happens to people “one second” after they die? Are they conscious or do they sleep? Do believers go immediately to heaven and unbelievers immediately to hell? What does the Bible say? We will consider these and other related questions as we examine this important topic of the present state of the dead

RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT

In the first book of our series, we looked at some basic questions about death and dying. We found that death was not God’s original intention for humanity. It only came about as a result of sin. We also discovered that death is not the end; it leads to an ultimate destination for every human being. Knowing this, we discussed how to live in the light of the eternity facing each of us.

In our next book, we learned that after people die their bodies go to the grave but their spirit or soul goes elsewhere. Indeed, they are either consciously in God’s present or in a place of judgment. This is known as the intermediate or “in-between” state. However, by its very name the intermediate, or the in-between, state has the idea that something is coming after that. Indeed, it is only temporary. This book will look at what comes after the “in-between” state. In this third volume we will look at the subjects of the resurrection of the dead as well as the coming biblical judgments. The Bible says there will come a day when the bodies of the dead will be joined with their soul or spirit. Once this occurs, the dead will be judged. The righteous dead will not be judged for their sin. Indeed, judgment for believers consists of rewards. However, the same cannot be said for the unrighteous. Their judgment will consist of punishment.

The Bible has much to say about these topics. Therefore, it is crucial that we understand that one day our bodies will be raised and that we will be judged for our choices here upon the earth. Consequently, this is a very important topic to consider.

HEAVEN, THE FINAL DESTINATION OF BELIEVERS

We now arrive at our fourth book in the series on the afterlife. In our first book, we looked at the subjects of death and dying, and then how we should live in the light of eternity. In our second volume, we considered what happens one second after we die. We saw what the Bible has to say about the condition of people immediately after death. Our third volume covered the subjects of the resurrection of the dead and the coming biblical judgments. In this volume, we will look at the subject of the final destination of those who believe in the God of the Bible. Scripture says that when believers die in Jesus Christ they go to be with the Lord in a place called heaven. There are so many questions that arise about heaven. Where is it? What will people do in heaven? Will we recognize our loved ones? This book deals with these and other questions about the future home of believers.

HELL, THE FINAL DESTINATION OF UNBELIEVERS

We now arrive at the last book in our series on the afterlife, the subject of hell. In our first book, we looked at the subjects of death and dying, and then how we should live in the light of the eternity we are all facing. In our second volume, we considered what happens to us one second after we die. We discovered what the Bible had to say about the condition of each of us immediately after our death. Our third book covered the subjects of the resurrection of the dead and the coming biblical judgments. We found that Scripture teaches that every human being will be raised from the dead and judged. In our fourth volume, we looked at the subject of the final destination of those who believe in the God of the Bible. Scripture says that when believers die in Jesus Christ they go to be with the Lord in a place called heaven. We discovered what the Bible had to say about the future home of believers

This last book in our series deals with the difficult topic of hell. We will answer such questions as: Is there really a place called hell? Who goes there? Why do people have to go to hell? And how can a person avoid going to hell?

We will look at these as well as other related questions about the final state of the wicked as we wrap up our series on the afterlife.

Question 2: Does The Bible Teach That The Wicked Will Be Punished In The Afterlife?

Question 3: What Is Final Place Of The Punishment For The Wicked? (Hell, The Lake Of Fire)

Question 4: What Was Jesus’ View Of Hell?

Question 5: What Observations Should We Make About Jesus’ View Of Hell?

Question 6: Where Is Hell Located? Is It In The Center Of The Earth?

Question 7: What Is Nature Of The Punishment Of The Wicked In Hell?

Question 8: What Is The Length Of Punishment In Hell? Is It Everlasting?

Question 9: What Terms Does The Bible Use To Describe Hell, Or Everlasting Punishment?

Question 10: What Is Tartarus?

Question 11: What Is Gehenna?

Question 12: What Is The Bottomless Pit? (The Abyss)

Question 13: What Is The Lake Of Fire?

Question 14: Who Will Be Sent To The Lake Of Fire?:

Question 15: How Could A God Of Love Send People To An Eternal Hell?

Question 16: Why Should People Have To Suffer Eternally?

Question 17: What Are The Arguments For Understanding Hell Fire To Be Literal? (Literal View Of Hell)

Question 18: What Are The Arguments Against Understanding Hell Fire As Literal? (Metaphorical View Of Hell)

Question 19: Will There Be Degrees Of Punishment In Hell Or Will Everyone Be Punished The Same?

Question 20: Is God Present In Hell?

Part 2: : Is There Really An Eternal Hell?

Arguments And Responses To The Idea Of Eternal Suffering

Question 21: How Shall We Approach The Question Of The Ultimate Fate Of The Wicked?

Question 22: What Are The Various Conclusions People Have Reached Concerning The Final State Of Unbelievers?

Question 23: What Is The General Case Which Is Made For The Unbelieving Dead Becoming Non-existent, Destroyed Or Annihilated? (Annihilationism, Conditional Immortality, Conditionalism, Limited Suffering)

Question 24: Are All Humans Immortal Or Is Immortality Something Which God Gives Only To Believers? (Conditional Immortality)

Question 25: Since God Is Love Does This Mean That He Would Never Send Anyone To An Eternal Hell?

Question 26: If Hell Is Eternal Then Would Not Evil Always Exist In The Universe?

Question 27: Since The Bible Says That God Wants Nobody To Be Condemned Does It Logically Follow That An Eternal Hell Cannot Exist?

Question 28: How Can Anyone Justly Be Sent To An Eternal Hell If God Has Predetermined Their Fate?

Question 29: Does Jesus’ Story Of The Rich Man And Lazarus Give Evidence For The Ultimate Annihilation Of The Wicked?

Question 30: Does God’s Justice Demand That The Wicked Must Be Annihilated Someday? (The Punishment Must Fit The Crime)

Question 31: Do Biblical Symbols Such As Fire, Death, Destruction And Separation Indicate Annihilation Rather Than Eternal Punishment?

Question 32: The Bible Says The Wicked Will Perish And Vanish Like Smoke (Psalm 37:20) Does This Not Teach The Eventual Annihilation Of The Unrighteous?

Question 33: Does 2 Peter 2:6 Teach That The Unrighteous Will Be Annihilated?

Question 34: Since The Unrighteous Will Go To Destruction Does This Mean They Will Be Annihilated? (2 Peter 3:7)

Question 35: Is The Second Death Annihilation? (Revelation 20:14)

Question 36: Does The Fact That God Will Triumph Over Sin In The End Mean The Wicked Must Be Annihilated?

Question 37: What Did Jesus Mean When He Spoke Of The Body And Soul Being Destroyed In Gehenna (Hell)? (Matthew 10:28)

Question 38: Does Matthew 25:41-46 Teach The Everlasting Punishment Of The Wicked?

Question 40: Does 2 Thessalonians 1:5–9 Teach That The Wicked Will Be Destroyed Or Annihilated?

Question 41: What Does Revelation 14:9–12 Say About The Fate Of The Wicked?

Question 42: Does Revelation 20:10–15 Teach That The Wicked Will Be Destroyed?

Question 43: Will The Unbelieving Dead Become Non-Existent? Is Annihilationism A

Biblical Concept?

Question 44: What Conclusions Can We Make About The Doctrine Of Annihilationism? (The Wicked Will One Day Cease To Exist)

Question 45: Will The Wicked Dead Ultimately Be Restored After Suffering For A Time In Hell? Will They Eventually Go To Heaven? (Universalism)

Question 46: What Observations And Conclusions Can We Make About The Subject Of Hell?

Appendix 1: What Did The Jewish Religious Leaders At The Time Of Jesus Believe About Eternal Punishment?

Appendix 2: What Did The Early Church Believe About Everlasting Punishment?

Appendix 3: Did Jesus Go To Hell For Three Days After He Died? (The Apostles Creed)

Appendix 4: Why Did Jesus Tell Mary Magdalene Not To Touch Him Because He Had Not Yet Ascended To The Father? (John 20:17) Is It Because He Had Descended Into Hell And Had Not Yet Been Back In His Father’s Presence?

Appendix 5: Do 1 Peter 3:18 And 1 Peter 4:6 Teach That The Gospel Was Preached To The Dead In Hades? Does This Mean The Dead Have A Chance To Believe And Escape Hell?